McCarter Theatre Center’s A Christmas Carol Creative Team
DIRECTOR ...... Adam Immerwahr COMPOSER ...... Michael Friedman CHOREOGRAPHY ...... Lorin Latarro SET DESIGN ...... Daniel Ostling COSTUME DESIGN ...... Linda Cho LIGHTING DESIGN ...... Lap Chi Chu SOUND DESIGN ...... Darron L. West SPECIAL EFFECTS DESIGN ...... Jeremy Chernick WIG DESIGN ...... Carissa Thorlakson MUSIC DIRECTOR ...... Cris Frisco ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR...... Jessica Bedford MOVEMENT CONSULTANT ...... Samantha Reading CASTING DIRECTOR ...... James Calleri SUPERVISING STAGE MANAGER ...... Cheryl Mintz
1 CAST OF CHARACTERS
EBENEZER SCROOGE FRED, Scrooge’s Nephew LILY, Fred’s Wife SOLICITOR DAVID SOLICITOR MATTHEW MRS. DILBER, Scrooge’s Housekeeper OLD MARLEY
CHRISTMAS PAST CHILD SCROOGE FAN, Scrooge’s Sister YOUNG MARLEY YOUNG SCROOGE MR. FEZZIWIG MRS. FEZZIWIG BELLE
CHRISTMAS PRESENT BOB CRATCHIT GRACE CRATCHIT BELINDA CRATCHIT PETER CRATCHIT MARTHA CRATCHIT TINY TIM MISS KATE LADY CHAR LITTLE CHARLIE ARCHIE EMILIA IGNORANCE WANT
CHRISTMAS FUTURE OLD JOE LAUNDRESS UNDERTAKER
COMMUNITY ENSEMBLE CAROLERS BELL RINGERS DELIVERY BOY
2 ACT ONE
The ENSEMBLE moves through the audience, ringing bells and letting everyone know that the performance is about to begin. Several ENSEMBLE members gather onstage and perform a Christmas carol. The audience is encouraged to sing along. Other ENSEMBLE members hang a banner that reads: “LONDON 1843” OPENING SONG: “IN DULCI JUBILO”
THE PEOPLE OF LONDON IN DULCI JUBILO A TUNE FROM LONG AGO HEAR THE VOICES SINGING IN WIND AND RAIN AND SNOW NOW THE BELLS ARE RINGING AND SWINGING TO AND FRO ECHOING BELOW ECHOING BELOW
IN DULCI JUBILO A TUNE FROM LONG AGO HEAR THE VOICES SINGING IN WIND AND RAIN AND SNOW NOW THE BELLS ARE RINGING AND SWINGING TO AND FRO ECHOING BELOW ECHOING BELOW And just as the song is about to finish, the banner is ripped away. SCROOGE is revealed. Everyone scatters in fear.
SCROOGE Horrible screeching! Move on! Move on I say! How can anyone be expected to run a business during a riot! You should be doing something useful, I say – useful! A notion clearly none of you understand otherwise you’d be at work!
SEGUE TO …
SCENE 2: SCROOGE’S COUNTING HOUSE
SCROOGE enters his Counting House. BOB CRATCHIT is hard at work at his desk. SCROOGE gives CRATCHIT his coat – and a stack of papers to tend to. 3 SCROOGE Cratchit! Bob Cratchit! Here’s another stack of correspondence for you to copy. And don't let's get sloppy just because it's the end of the working day.
BOB CRATCHIT It's just that my hands are so cold.
SCROOGE I don't pay for you to warm your hands. I pay for you to USE them.
BOB CRATCHIT Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. FRED and LILY enter, full of the Christmas spirit. FRED Well, well, well! Christmas Eve, nearly seven o'clock, and where else would you be, Uncle Scrooge, but hard at work?
SCROOGE What is it you want?
FRED Only to introduce you to my new wife. Uncle Scrooge, my wife Lily.
LILY (She extends her hand.) It's a pleasure to meet you. (But SCROOGE ignore her.)
SCROOGE Yes, I'm sure it is.
FRED And his trusted clerk, Bob Cratchit.
BOB CRATCHIT Very nice to meet you. Congratulations to you both!
LILY AND FRED Thank you.
FRED Uncle, we wish you could have come to the wedding.
LILY It really was quite lovely.
4 SCROOGE And much too expensive, I’m sure.
LILY Your presence was missed.
SCROOGE You mean my present was missed.
FRED That too.
LILY Fred! (Determined.) Therefore, because we missed you at the last family gathering, Uncle Scrooge, we'd like to invite you to Christmas dinner tomorrow. All the family will be there.
SCROOGE Christmas! Bah! Humbug.
FRED Christmas a humbug, Uncle? Surely you don't mean that.
SCROOGE I do! Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? You're poor enough.
FRED What right have you to be dismal? You're rich enough. FRED throws single piece of coal into the small stove.
SCROOGE See here. What are you doing? Oh get away from there. Get away!
FRED Don't be cross, Uncle. SCROOGE picks the coal out of the grate and burns his fingers.
SCROOGE What else can I be when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money. A time for finding yourself a year older and not an hour richer. What’s merry about that? If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with a "Merry Christmas" on his lips should be boiled in his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.
5 FRED Uncle!
SCROOGE Nephew! Keep Christmas in your own way. And I'll keep it in mine.
FRED But you don't keep it.
SCROOGE Let me leave it alone then. Much good has it ever done you. You're still as penniless as ever.
FRED My dear Uncle Scrooge – there are many things that have made us happy, by which we have not profited, I dare say. Christmas is one of these. I always think of Christmas as a good time – a kind, charitable, pleasant time. It is the only time I know of in the year when we open our hearts freely to one another. And therefore, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in our pockets, I believe it HAS done us good and WILL do us good. And I say "God bless it!” BOB CRATCHIT applauds silently.
SCROOGE Let me hear another sound out of YOU Cratchit, and you'll keep Christmas by losing your situation.
BOB CRATCHIT Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
SCROOGE You're quite a powerful speaker, sir. I wonder you don’t go into politics.
LILY Uncle, please. You have no reason to be cross with Fred. It was my idea to extend this invitation for you to dine with us tomorrow. I have heard Fred speak of you so often and so fondly that I felt there was no reason we should be strangers.
SCROOGE Humbug!
6 FRED We've made our visit in the spirit of Christmas. And we shall keep our spirit to the last. So, a Merry Christmas, Bob Cratchit, to you and your family.
BOB CRATCHIT Thank you, sir. Merry Christmas.
SCROOGE Good evening.
LILY And a Happy New Year.
SCROOGE Good evening!
FRED And, Uncle Scrooge – Merry Christmas!
SCROOGE GOOD EVENING! FRED and LILY exit. The clock strikes seven.
SCROOGE You keep close watch on the closing hour. You're not one to work a moment longer than you have to, are you?
BOB CRATCHIT No sir. I mean yes, sir.
SCROOGE You needn't worry. The working day's over.
BOB CRATCHIT Yes, sir! Thank you, sir! (Carefully, CRATCHIT approaches SCROOGE’S desk.) My wages sir?
SCROOGE Always first in line with your hand out. You'll want the whole day off tomorrow, I suppose.
BOB CRATCHIT If it's quite convenient, sir.
7 SCROOGE No sir! It's NOT convenient. And it's not fair. If I was to dock you half-a-crown for it, you'd think yourself ill-used, I'll be bound. But you don't think ME ill-used when I pay a day's wages for no work.
BOB CRATCHIT It's only once a year, sir.
SCROOGE A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December.
BOB CRATCHIT Yes, I'm sorry to cause such an inconvenience, sir, but it's a day with the family. They put their hearts into Christmas.
SCROOGE And their hands into my pocket. My generosity has always been my weakness. I am generous to a fault, always giving, giving, giving!
BOB CRATCHIT Thank you, sir.
SCROOGE Be here all the earlier the next morning.
BOB CRATCHIT Yes, sir. A Merry Christmas sir.
SCROOGE And take your infernal Merry Christmas with you!
BOB CRATCHIT Yes, sir! BOB CRATCHIT exits.
SCROOGE There’s another fellow for you. My clerk. Makes fifteen shillings a week. Talking about a Merry Christmas. Bah humbug!! SEGUE TO …
8 SCENE: THE STREETS OF LONDON BOB CRATCHIT is greeted in front of SCROOGE’S Counting House by his sons, TINY TIM and PETER.
TINY TIM Father! Father!!
BOB CRATCHIT Tim!
PETER Hello Father.
BOB CRATCHIT Peter! You've come all this way?
TINY TIM To surprise you.
PETER We stopped and looked in the toy shop window.
BOB CRATCHIT You did!
TINY TIM There were toy soldiers on horses!
PETER And a tin drum!
TINY TIM And a crystal ball you could shake and make it snow.
PETER And we bought them all.
BOB CRATCHIT I should hope so.
TINY TIM And they're being delivered right now.
9 BOB CRATCHIT Well then, we better hurry home before your mother faints in surprise. You're not feeling too tired, are you?
TINY TIM No Father, not a bit.
PETER He walked the entire way.
BOB CRATCHIT Well then, what do you say – I've got a pocketful of shillings – a whole week's wages – how about we race Peter to the sweet shop. Winner gets a peppermint stick!
PETER Bet you can't catch me! PETER runs off. CRATCHIT puts TINY TIM on his shoulder.
TINY TIM Look, father, he's getting a head start.
BOB CRATCHIT Well then, we'll just have to catch him.
TINY TIM Peppermint stick! BOB CRATCHIT and TINY TIM chase after PETER as the two SOLICITORS enter.
BOB CRATCHIT AND TINY TIM Merry Christmas!
SOLICITORS DAVID AND MATTHEW Merry Christmas! SCROOGE comes out of the Counting House and locks the door. The SOLICITORS approach SCROOGE.
SOLICITOR DAVID Which partner have we the pleasure of addressing? Mr. Scrooge or Mr. –
SOLICITOR MATTHEW Marley?
10 SCROOGE Jacob Marley. Is dead. He died seven years ago, this very night.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner. At this festive season of the year –
SOLICITOR DAVID Mr. Scrooge –
SOLICITOR MATTHEW It is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor.
SOLICITOR DAVID We who have been blessed with good fortune in our lives have the obligation to give a little bit back to those in need.
SCROOGE Are there no prisons?
SOLICITOR MATTHEW There are plenty of prisons.
SCROOGE Are there no workhouses?
SOLICITOR DAVID There are, indeed.
SCROOGE Oh! I was afraid from what you said at first that something had occurred to stop them in their useful purpose.
SOLICITOR DAVID Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christmas cheer to the multitude –
SOLICITOR MATTHEW We are raising a small fund to help the poor buy some food and means of warmth.
SOLICITOR DAVID We choose this time because it is a time when want is keenly felt.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW So, what shall we put you down for? 11 SCROOGE Nothing.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW Oh! You wish to be left anonymous?!
SCROOGE I wish to be left alone! Since you ask me what I wish, that is my answer. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned with the taxes I pay. They cost enough. And those who are badly off must go there.
SOLICITOR DAVID Many can't go there.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW And many would rather die.
SCROOGE If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. Good evening.
SOLICITOR DAVID But Mr. Scrooge –
SCROOGE Good evening!
SOLICITORS DAVID AND MATTHEW Good evening.
SOLICITOR DAVID Merry Christmas.
SCROOGE Bah! Humbug! The SOLICITORS run off . SCROOGE continues homeward. Keenly felt! Everyone has their hand out tonight. Everyone expects something for nothing. You can't walk down the street without someone trying to help themselves to something that's not theirs. If I gave money to every idiot who asked, I'd be penniless and out on the street myself by the time I reached home. SCROOGE arrives at his front door. The door knocker suddenly becomes the face of MARLEY.
12 MARLEY'S VOICE Ebenezer Scrooge.
SCROOGE Jacob? Jacob Marley?! The lamp over the doorway flares. The doorknocker restores. SCROOGE takes a closer look at the knocker. Jacob Marley indeed! The man’s dead. And don’t I know it. He's as dead as a doornail. And certainly deader still than a door knocker. Humbug. Humbug, I say. SCROOGE opens the door and enters his house. SEGUE TO …
13 SCENE: SCROOGE’S FRONT HALL
The FRONT HALL is void of any decorations or pictures.
SCROOGE Cold miserable weather! But at last! I am home! And alone!
OLD MARLEY (V.O.) Ebenezer! Chains crash and echo.
SCROOGE Jacob? Jacob Marley? Is that you?
OLD MARLEY (V.O.) Ebenezer!
SCROOGE Yes?
OLD MARLEY (V.O.) Ebenezer! Ebenezer Scrooge! A shadow of Marley reaches for Scrooge and knocks off his hat. MRS. DILBER enters with a tray of gruel.
MRS. DILBER Sir.
SCROOGE Mrs. Dilber.
MRS. DILBER Your evening gruel, sir. And how are you feeling this Christmas Eve, sir?
SCROOGE I'm feeling SICK!
MRS. DILBER Sick, sir?
14 SCROOGE Sick and tired of Christmas! All this smiling and singing and well-wishing, my mind is beginning to addle so that I'm starting to SEE things that don't exist! For all I know, YOU don't exist! I’ve had ENOUGH!
MRS. DILBER Yes, sir. About tomorrow, sir.
SCROOGE You'll want the day off, I suppose, like everyone else! Just like every fool in the city.
MRS. DILBER It IS Christmas Day, sir.
SCROOGE It's a conspiracy and I won't have it. The answer is no! NO! Do you hear me?
MRS. DILBER But, sir, my family is expecting me to –
SCROOGE To what? Rob me blind? Take my money? My belongings? Tear down my bed curtains and sell them in the market?
MRS. DILBER Steal from you, sir?
SCROOGE How is it any different if you demand wages for work you haven't done? It's the same as stealing. No. I shall be at work tomorrow and so shall you.
MRS. DILBER Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Will there be anything else, sir?
SCROOGE No! Yes! Polish the front door knocker.
MRS. DILBER A Merry Christmas. Sir.
SCROOGE If you have nothing sensible to say, say nothing at all. MRS. DILBER scampers off.
15
SCENE: SCROOGE’S BEDROOM
SCROOGE enters his bedroom and shuts the door. Everything about the room is haunted.
SCROOGE No wintry weather can chill me! How I welcome the cold! It only causes me to sleep more soundly! SCROOGE puts down the candle and starts to change his clothes. Tonight is an ordinary damp dismal night, no different from any other ordinary damp dismal night. The candle explodes. SCROOGE looks about. Nothing. SCROOGE continues to change. Darkness! But no matter. Darkness is cheap. And I like it. The window flies open. SCROOGE crosses to close it. Still nothing! SCROOGE continues to change. A horrible draft. An easterly wind! Playing hide and seek in my room! Ridiculous! Nobody in the bed curtains. Nobody behind the drapes. Nobody in -- the closet. SCROOGE crosses to the wardrobe for good measure. Of course, nothing. Nobody in the closet. All is as it should be. SCROOGE shuts the wardrobe. But behind the door is JACOB MARLEY.
MARLEY Ebenezer Scrooge.
SCROOGE Who are you?
MARLEY Ask me who I WAS.
SCROOGE You’re very particular. Who WERE you then.
MARLEY In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.
16 SCROOGE Humbug.
MARLEY You don't believe in me.
SCROOGE No, I do not.
MARLEY Why do you doubt your senses?
SCROOGE Because little things affect them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them liars. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are.
MARLEY Man of the worldly mind, do you believe in me or not? MARLEY flies, chasing SCROOGE across the room.
SCROOGE I do, I do! I must, but why do you come to me?
MARLEY It is required of every living man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow men. If that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. How it is that tonight I appear before you in a shape that you can see I may not tell.
SCROOGE Why are you chained, Jacob? Why?
MARLEY I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link. Yard by yard.
SCROOGE But you were a good man of business, Jacob.
MARLEY Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business. Charity. Mercy. Forbearance and benevolence were all my business. MARLEY flies again.
17 Blind Man. Hear me. My time is nearly gone. I have arranged it so that you have yet one last chance and hope of escaping my fate.
SCROOGE Thank you, Jacob. Thank you. You were always a good friend to me.
MARLEY You will be visited by three spirits.
SCROOGE Is that the "chance and hope" you mentioned, Jacob?
MARLEY It is.
SCROOGE In that case, I think I'd rather not.
MARLEY Without their visits, you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first when the bell tolls ten.
SCROOGE Couldn't I take them all at once and have it over, Jacob?
MARLEY The second when the bell sounds eleven and the third at midnight. Look to me no more. And look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between us. MARLEY flies away.
SCROOGE Jacob! Jacob Marley! (Then, laughing in disbelief.) Honestly! Jacob Marley! Flying about. For all to see. His only haunt was the counting house! Why should he take up residence here? Humbug! SCROOGE gets into bed. The clock strikes ten. SCROOGE looks about. Anything?
SCROOGE The hour itself. And nothing more. Humbug. Humbug, I say. THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST appears, magically, as if out of thin air. 18 SCROOGE Who are you? Answer me.
CHRISTMAS PAST The Spirit of Christmas Past.
SCROOGE Whose past?
CHRISTMAS PAST Your past.
SCROOGE There is no spirit of Christmas past in this house! This house has never known Christmas. Nor will it ever. Don't try to fool me. You've sneaked into my house while I was at work. You've been hiding. You've been STEALING! I shall send for the police at once.
CHRISTMAS PAST Would you so soon put out the light that I give? The SPIRIT waves her hand. SCROOGE’S house begins to disappear.
SCROOGE Now see here. That’s my house! Put my house back. You can’t just scatter my house to the winds! There are laws! And if there are not, there should be! What are you doing?
CHRISTMAS PAST Awakening the shadows of your past. To let them know that you shall soon be visiting.
SCROOGE I am not going anywhere. I am not leaving this place. I refuse. I absolutely refuse! The transition to CHRISTMAS PAST begins.
CHRISTMAS PAST Come. Walk with me. Are you afraid?
SCROOGE Certainly not.
CHRISTMAS PAST You are. You’re trembling. Bear but a touch of my hand – there
SEGUE TO … 19
20 SCENE: THE SCHOOLYARD SCROOGE and CHRISTMAS PAST arrive at SCROOGE’S old school.
SCROOGE Look! My old school.
CHRISTMAS PAST You know this place?
SCROOGE Know it? I was a boy here!
CHRISTMAS PAST It's time for the Christmas holidays. Everyone is going home. CHILD SCROOGE enters. Everyone except a solitary child. Do you recognize the child?
SCROOGE Yes, it's me.
CHRISTMAS PAST Look, your sister.
SCROOGE Dear Fan. Alive again. How young she looks. FAN, SCROOGE’S sister, enters.
CHILD SCROOGE Fan!
FAN Ebenezer! Ebenezer Scrooge! Look how big you've got.
CHILD SCROOGE How did you get here?
FAN I stole away from the mill. And got a ride out of town in a carriage!
CHILD SCROOGE A carriage! 21 FAN Yes. I convinced the driver I had to see my little brother for Christmas. And he let me ride without paying.
CHILD SCROOGE You've come to take me home.
FAN Home? Oh Ebenezer, there's still no home to take you to. (Changing the subject.) I brought you a present. I've been saving up for months. FAN gives him a present. He opens it. It is a small crystal ball snow scene. Here – wind it. (Music plays.) Now shake it. See? It's snowing. Now, whenever you look at this, it can be Christmas whenever you like. The driver is here for only a moment and I've got to get back before they know I'm gone.
CHILD SCROOGE Fan, don't go. Stay.
FAN We'll be together soon. I promise.
CHILD SCROOGE & SCROOGE Fan please –
FAN Think of me. FAN exits. BOY SCROOGE exits.
SCROOGE Such a delicate creature, Fan. Too delicate for that horrible mill.
CHRISTMAS PAST She had a child.
SCROOGE One child.
CHRISTMAS PAST Your nephew, Fred
SCROOGE She died. In childbirth. Giving him life.
22 CHRISTMAS PAST As your mother died, giving you life.
SCROOGE Please, let us leave this place. Take me home.
CHRISTMAS PAST We are not done yet.
SEGUE TO …
23 SCENE: FEZZIWIG’S WAREHOUSE SCROOGE and CHRISTMAS PAST arrive at the backroom of FEZZIWIG’S Warehouse.
CHRISTMAS PAST Do you know this place? YOUNG MARLEY and YOUNG SCROOGE enter.
SCROOGE It's Fezziwig's warehouse. Fezziwig gave us our start. I was his apprentice. With Jacob Marley. Going over to YOUNG MARLEY. Young Marley. Oh, my word. In forty years' time what an ugly man you will become.
YOUNG MARLEY Shipments of calicos and linens have been left in the warehouse! Sales of lace and silk have been forgotten altogether. God only knows how much money has been made this Christmas. Or lost!
YOUNG SCROOGE Old Fezziwig has his own way of handling his money.
YOUNG MARLEY Or not handling it is more like it. With half an eye for business, even a fool could turn a profit.
YOUNG SCROOGE It's a wonder he hasn't gone under years ago.
YOUNG MARLEY Ebenezer –
YOUNG SCROOGE AND SCROOGE Yes?
YOUNG MARLEY With a business like this, we could be richer than Midas. We'd have enough money to do anything we liked.
YOUNG SCROOGE Tell me, Jacob, what would you do with that kind of money?
24 YOUNG MARLEY You tell me first.
YOUNG SCROOGE I'd buy myself a home. One that no one could take away from me.
YOUNG MARLEY How ridiculous. How sentimental. If you are lucky enough to MAKE money, you can't be foolish enough to LOSE it. The only smart thing is to buy another business. And then another. You've got to keep investing what you make. Start with a guinea and you can build an empire. The whole world is opening up. Why shouldn't we be a part of it? A house and a wife and a family is the fastest way to find yourself bound in chains and under eternal lock and key. MR. FEZZIWIG enters.
MR. FEZZIWIG Young Scrooge! Young Marley! What keeps you so long may I ask?
YOUNG MARLEY We haven't yet finished the day's books, Mr. Fezziwig –
MR. FEZZIWIG You haven't finished yet? At twenty past eight?
YOUNG SCROOGE Excuse us, sir, we've been working quite hard.
MR. FEZZIWIG Enough excuses. Listen to me gentlemen. Because you haven't finished these books, you give me no choice but to give these books … the old heave-ho!
YOUNG MARLEY Mr. Fezziwig?
MR. FEZZIWIG It’s Christmas Eve! The Christmas party is about to begin. There will be punch and music and dancing. And each moment longer that you work, I shall reduce your wages by a shilling.
YOUNG SCROOGE AND YOUNG MARLEY Yes, sir!
25 MR. FEZZIWIG You'll find in the pocket of your coats a small Christmas gift from the Mrs. and myself.
YOUNG SCROOGE A guinea sir?
MR. FEZZIWIG I'd give you ten times that if the business were better. All the same, I expect you to spend it on yourself before the New Year.
YOUNG MARLEY Oh no, I'll save mine.
MR. FEZZIWIG Young Marley, you do that and you'll have to give it back. Just do the same in years to come for the people who will one day work for you.
YOUNG MARLEY Certainly. I shall.
SCROOGE He never did, you know.
YOUNG SCROOGE And I shall too.
CHRISTMAS PAST And neither did you.
CHRISTMAS PAST momentarily freezes time.
CHRISTMAS PAST What is the matter?
SCROOGE Nothing particular.
CHRISTMAS PAST Something, I think?
SCROOGE No—I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk Bob Cratchit just now. That’s all.
26 MR. FEZZIWIG Merry Christmas, boys!
YOUNG SCROOGE AND YOUNG MARLEY Merry Christmas, Mr. Fezziwig! MRS. FEZZIWIG enters.
MRS. FEZZIWIG Savages. Absolute Christmas savages.
MR. FEZZIWIG And why not, my dear? Do you not preside over the finest Christmas party in all of London?
MRS. FEZZIWIG It will be the finest Christmas riot if we keep our guests waiting any longer. You MUST be finished with your work, gentlemen.
MR. FEZZIWIG My boys are ready for your inspection. Jacob?
MRS. FEZZIWIG Oh, Jacob!
MR. FEZZIWIG Ebenezer?
MRS. FEZZIWIG Oh, Ebenezer. How drab you look. How melancholy. Must you always look as if you're ready to run away? Oh but I'll fix that. I'll make sure that if you DO run away, we'll be certain to find you.
YOUNG SCROOGE Oh no, Mrs. Fezziwig. I won't be running anywhere this evening. I promise.
MRS. FEZZIWIG You need something different around your neck. Something festive. Something dashing. Something striking!
YOUNG MARLEY A cow bell perhaps?
MRS. FEZZIWIG Too gaudy. Something red!
27 YOUNG SCROOGE No, no no, honestly, Mrs. Fezziwig. I LIKE what I am wearing. I wear this all the time.
MRS. FEZZIWIG (Tying a red ribbon around his neck.) Yes, that's just the problem. Such a handsome young man you are Ebenezer. You shouldn't be afraid to find some joy in life. And you too, Jacob! All work and no play will make very dull boys of you both. But tonight I shall remedy all that. Tonight I shall find you some romance!
MR. FEZZIWIG Beware! There's mistletoe everywhere! MR. FEZZIWIG holds mistletoe over MRS. FEZZIWIG. They kiss.
MR. FEZZIWIG AND MRS. FEZZIWIG Perfect!
MRS. FEZZIWIG And now that we are all in the proper holiday spirit, let the party begin!
SEGUE TO …
SCENE: FEZZIWIG PARTY SCROOGE and CHRISTMAS PAST enter. GUESTS enter, too and immediately transform the warehouse into a festive party with music, dancing and presents.
SCROOGE Spirit! Why are you showing me this? I’ve seen it all before. Year after year. All the neighborhood riff-raff – eating other people’s food, drinking other people’s wine. When they should all be at work!
(Watching a violinist.) And that fiddle player! You’d think one of the muses of Mount Olympus was in our midst! (Regarding the violinist’s melody.) And how every year, I looked forward to hearing it.
(Watching the merriment.) No one could ever host a party like Fezziwig could.
CHRISTMAS PAST A small matter to make these silly folk so full of gratitude.
SCROOGE Small!
28 CHRISTMAS PAST He has spent only a few pounds. Three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?
SCROOGE It isn't that, Spirit. He had the power to render us happy with things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count them up: what then! The happiness he gave is quite as great as if it cost a fortune! The dancing continues. BELLE enters. YOUNG SCROOGE sees her.
SCROOGE Belle!
CHRISTMAS PAST How beautiful she is.
SCROOGE Oh, how wonderful to see Belle again for the first time. My heart was pounding so, I was certain everyone could hear it. I could barely breathe.
BELLE and YOUNG SCROOGE dance.
SCROOGE I never forgot that kiss. Now everyone at the party dances. And, in the center of it all, is SCROOGE. He hasn’t had this much fun for so many years. It’s a moment he has never forgotten. And when the dance is over, YOUNG SCROOGE and BELLE run off together. FEZZIWIG PARTY GUESTS exit, too.. I did love her.
CHRISTMAS PAST What happened?
SCROOGE I don't know.
CHRISTMAS PAST Let's see. Another year. Transition. 29 And another year. Transition. And another Christmas Eve. SEGUE TO …
30 SCENE: FEZZIWIG PARTY – Several Years Later YOUNG SCROOGE has been working at his desk. BELLE enters.
BELLE Ebenezer! I have been looking for you! Are you ready? It's Christmas Eve. The Christmas party is about to begin!
YOUNG SCROOGE Belle, Marley and I have important business to finish. Very important. I’ll be ready in a moment. Belle, what could a few more minutes matter?
BELLE It matters little. To you, very little.
YOUNG SCROOGE Can’t you see that this is for our future?
BELLE I can see another idol has displaced me.
YOUNG SCROOGE Belle, there’s nothing I love more than you.
BELLE Except gold.
YOUNG SCROOGE Belle, please.
BELLE Little by little I have seen all joy in your life replaced by your passion for money. Of late, when we are together, you speak of nothing but business.
YOUNG SCROOGE And what then? Even if I have grown so much wiser, what then? I am not changed towards you, am I?
BELLE When you asked for my hand in marriage, we were both poor – and content to be so.
YOUNG SCROOGE No one is ever content to be poor.
31 BELLE We were. And that was all that mattered. When we spoke of our future, we never spoke of money. But now all that is changed. Our betrothal is nothing more than a business contract to you, a contract, I’m certain, from which you’d rather be free. And so I release you.
YOUNG SCROOGE Have I ever sought release?
BELLE In words, no. Never.
YOUNG SCROOGE In what then?
BELLE In a changed nature. In an altered spirit. Tell me Ebenezer, would you seek me out and try to win me now? A poor girl without a dowry? You cannot answer? YOUNG MARLEY enters.
YOUNG MARLEY Ebenezer, come along, we must get Fezziwig's signature tonight.
YOUNG SCROOGE In a moment, please. YOUNG MARLEY exits.
BELLE In a very, very brief time, you may dismiss the recollection of this gladly, as an unprofitable dream from which it happened well that you awoke. May you be happy in the life you have chosen.
YOUNG SCROOGE Thank you. I shall.
BELLE Goodbye.
YOUNG SCROOGE Because I have chosen to make more of my life than being a feeble clerk, you feel I love you less. Because I will not lead a life ruled by need and want, you feel you must leave me. Then go. A heart broken in love will mend. A life broken by poverty will not. BELLE exits.
32 SCROOGE No, you fool, go to her! Take her hand! Go to her! Don't let her go.
CHRISTMAS PAST It's no use. You have no control over things that have passed.
SCROOGE You silly fool. How could you let her go? How could you let her go? Spirit, why do you delight in torturing me? MR. FEZZIWIG enters.
MR. FEZZIWIG Ebenezer, talk some sense into Marley. You two know how I never do business on Christmas Eve. Have you forgotten?
YOUNG SCROOGE Nonetheless, we must have an answer. Tonight. You've been running from us for weeks.
MR. FEZZIWIG How about a glass of punch first and then we'll discuss this after the New Year?
YOUNG SCROOGE No. Your business is losing money.
YOUNG MARLEY Sell out while the going's good. You'll never get a better offer.
MR. FEZZIWIG It's not the money alone. This business is a way of life. For me. For the Mrs. And all the people who work here. Yourselves included.
YOUNG MARLEY Make up your mind.
MR. FEZZIWIG A couple of guineas, a couple of investments behind my back and the next thing I know my two boys are trying to buy me out.
YOUNG SCROOGE We're just trying to save your business.
33 MR. FEZZIWIG No, you're just trying to change my business. If I die penniless, I will die happy. There's more to life than money. The answer is no.
YOUNG MARLEY Suit yourself.
YOUNG SCROOGE But the business will be ours one way or another. MRS. FEZZIWIG enters.
MRS. FEZZIWIG Jacob! And Ebenezer. Where could you possibly be going? My Christmas party! Surely, you couldn't have forgotten.
YOUNG SCROOGE We are just finishing business. We can't stay.
MRS. FEZZIWIG Can't stay?
YOUNG MARLEY We've got work to do.
MRS. FEZZIWIG I'm so sorry to hear that. Merry Christmas, Jacob. YOUNG MARLEY exits. Merry Christmas, Ebenezer.
YOUNG SCROOGE Christmas. Bah . . . humbug. YOUNG SCROOGE exits.
SCROOGE Spirit. Spirit. I wish to see no more. I've had enough. Conduct me home.
CHRISTMAS PAST I told you these were shadows of the things that have been. That they are what they are, do not blame me!
SCROOGE Remove me. I cannot bear it. Take me back! Haunt me no longer! 34 CHRISTMAS PAST One shadow more. Just one. SEGUE immediately to … SCENE: FAN’S DEATH FAN is seen – calling out to SCROOGE.
FAN Ebenezer.
SCROOGE Please spirit, please. Have you no mercy?
CHRISTMAS PAST Do you remember the promise you made to your sister?
FAN Take care of my son! Take care of Fred! He’s the only family you have.
SCROOGE Fan.
FAN Promise me he'll never spend a Christmas alone. Promise me!
SCROOGE I’m sorry, Fan – I’m sorry. Fan!
CHRISTMAS PAST Remember the light you have been given.
SCROOGE Fan! Don’t leave me. FAN! CHRISTMAS PAST disappears. SEGUE TO …
35 SCENE: SCROOGE’S BEDROOM Once again, SCROOGE is in his bedroom. SCROOGE has returned from the past – to the present.
SCROOGE Horrible dream. That's all it was. Just a horrible dream. Look at me. Fretting like a baby over a silly nightmare. Bah! It's all humbug. Humbug, I say. The clock strikes eleven. CHRISTMAS PRESENT’S laughter is heard. Spirit? Is that you, Spirit? Spirit, answer me. Is that you? The room fills with light. The laughter grows louder. SCROOGE opens his bedroom door. And there is the Ghost of Christmas Present.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Ebenezer! Blackout. End of ACT ONE.
36 ACT TWO SCENE: CHRISTMAS PRESENT SCROOGE enters and is greeted by the GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Come in, Ebenezer. Come in and know me better, man. Come! Come!
SCROOGE What have you done to my house?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Oh my what a fearful little man you are!
SCROOGE Who are you?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT I am the Ghost of Christmas Present.
SCROOGE Christmas Present! Ah ha! Your name says it all. You are the ghost of "Something for Nothing." Christmas presents! That's all that everyone wants this time of year. I suppose you'll be wanting something from me – What have you done?!
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Oh I'm so sorry. Really I am! I never seem to get it right. It should be more of a sweeping gesture, don't you think? Like this!
SCROOGE No! No! No! It shouldn’t!
CHRISTMAS PRESENT My other brothers and sisters can do it so well!
SCROOGE There are more of you?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Of course. What year is this?
SCROOGE 1843. 37 CHRISTMAS PRESENT Then there are one thousand eight hundred and forty-two. One brother or sister for every year.
SCROOGE Oh that is rubbish. Absolute rubbish. You don't seriously expect me to believe that anyone could possibly have one thousand eight— SCROOGE screams as the staircase breaks away from the wall and starts to move. What are you trying to do? Torture me?!
CHRISTMAS PRESENT You are tortured already. Every Christmas, another brother or sister tries to spread happiness and Christmas cheer. We are also charged with the task of removing the causes of human misery. Which explains my little visit to you.
SCROOGE Well then, did your "family" not tell you that my generosity is my weakness. I am generous to a fault, always giving, giving, giving –
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Quiet, little man. The staircase spins.
SCROOGE STOP!
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Unfortunately, my dear sir, you don't know the meaning of those words. But you are about to find out.
SCROOGE If you have anything to teach me, let me profit by it.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT And so you shall! Come Ebenezer, come! Come! COME! Hold on tight! SEGUE TO ...
38 SCENE: THE CRATCHIT HOME SCROOGE and CHRISTMAS PRESENT arrive at BOB CRATCHIT’S house.
SCROOGE What place is this?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Bob Cratchit's house. And that's his wife, Grace Cratchit. MRS. CRATCHIT enters.
MRS. CRATCHIT Good, Belinda. Now you must stir it fifteen more times as fast as you can. That will make it smooth and glossy. And that's the secret of the pudding. There. That's it. Good. My mother told me that. And her mother told her. And one day, you'll tell your own daughter. From now on 'till who knows when, the Cratchit family will have Christmas pudding like this. No matter where you are, or how far apart we may all be, you'll make this pudding and remember all of us together at Christmas. PETER enters.
PETER Hello Mother, hello Belinda.
MRS. CRATCHIT Peter! Back from the market already? You must have run all the way!
PETER I am pleased to present to you the great, the grand, the glorious – MARTHA enters.
MARTHA Christmas goose!
BELINDA It's bigger than ever!
SCROOGE Dear lord, it couldn't be any smaller.
MRS. CRATCHIT It's perfect. Peter will you take this fine Christmas goose into the kitchen. Martha, will you help Belinda get her pudding into the copper. 39 MARTHA Come along, Belinda. MARTHA, PETER and BELINDA exit.
SCROOGE What is that you sprinkle?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT The spirit of Christmas cheer.
SCROOGE Does it have a particular flavor?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT It does.
SCROOGE Would it apply to any kind of dinner on this night?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT To any kindly given. To a poor one most.
SCROOGE Why to a poor one most?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Because it needs it most. BOB CRATCHIT enters with TINY TIM. The other CRATCHIT CHILDREN re-enter.
BOB CRATCHIT Hello everyone! We raced all the way home. I was Tim's trotter all the way from church
TINY TIM Some hay for my horse, please.
CRATCHIT CHILDREN Father!
MRS. CRATCHIT Bob Cratchit, you're smiling as wide as a Cheshire cat.
40 BOB CRATCHIT It's not that often I get the day off to spend with my beautiful family. With all of you together I have everything in the world a man could possibly ask for.
SCROOGE How can he say that? He only makes eighteen shillings a week.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Fifteen.
BOB CRATCHIT Why, what's that wonderful smell. Another delicious pudding, Mrs. Cratchit? Your mother makes the finest Christmas pudding in all of London.
MRS. CRATCHIT No no, this Christmas, the finest pudding in all of London has been made by Belinda.
BOB CRATCHIT My Belinda Cratchit?
MARTHA Come! Let's go look at it. MARTHA, PETER and BELINDA exit.
MRS. CRATCHIT And how was little Tim today?
BOB CRATCHIT As good as gold, my dear, and better. Somehow, he gets thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, and he comes up with the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church because he was a cripple and it might be pleasant for them to remember upon Christmas Eve who made lame beggars walk and blind men see. He's growing so much stronger. Every day. Isn't he.
SCROOGE Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT I see a vacant seat in the corner and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die.
SCROOGE No, no. Oh no, kind spirit. Say his life will be spared.
41 CHRISTMAS PRESENT What then! If he be like to die, he had better do it and decrease the surplus population. THE CHILDREN re-enter.
PETER Christmas punch. All steaming hot!
MARTHA Enough for everyone to have one and then another after that.
MRS. CRATCHIT There's bounty for you. How about a toast. Who will make it? Robert, you sweeten the punch.
BOB CRATCHIT A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us.
TINY TIM God bless us every one.
ALL Here! Here!
MRS. CRATCHIT Now, how about another one! Yes. Let's toast someone to whom we owe this fine Christmas feast.
PETER The grocer?
MRS. CRATCHIT Oh no. No. We give him our hard earned blessings every week. Better than that.
TINY TIM The goose?
MRS. CRATCHIT I don't think he'd appreciate it. Better than that.
BOB CRATCHIT I give you Mr. Scrooge! The Founder of the Feast.
42 MRS. CRATCHIT The Founder of the Feast indeed. I wish I had him here. I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon. And I hope he'd have a good appetite for it.
BOB CRATCHIT My dear – Christmas Eve.
MRS. CRATCHIT Well, it should be Christmas Eve, I am sure, on which one toasts the likes of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge. You know he is, Robert. Nobody knows it better than you do.
BOB CRATCHIT My dear – the children.
MRS. CRATCHIT I'll do it for your sake and the Day's, not for his. To Mr. Scrooge. Long life to him. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He'll be very merry and very happy I have no doubt.
BOB CRATCHIT Come now, enough of these long faces. We won't let Mr. Scrooge cast a shadow over tonight's celebration. Will we?
CRATCHIT FAMILY No!!
BOB CRATCHIT Will we?
CRATCHIT FAMILY No!!
BOB CRATCHIT Instead, Mrs. Cratchit, we shall sing for our supper! BOB CRATCHIT begins to sing and the family joins in.
BOB CRATCHIT NOW CHRISTMAS IS COME AND THE NEW YEAR BEGIN
BOB CRATCHIT AND MRS. CRATCHIT PRAY OPEN YOUR DOORS
43 CRATCHIT FAMILY AND LET US COME IN WITH OUR WASSAIL, WASSAIL WASSAIL, WASSAIL AND JOY COME WITH OUR JOLLY WASSAIL CROSSFADE to FRED’S house ...
CRATCHIT FAMILY/FRED’S GUESTS WITH OUR WASSAIL, WASSAIL WASSAIL, WASSAIL AND JOY COME WITH OUR JOLLY WASSAIL
SOLICITOR MATTHEW I WISH YOU A BLESSING AND A LONG TIME TO LIVE
SOLICITOR DAVID SINCE YOU’VE BEEN SO FREE AND WILLING TO GIVE
FRED’S GUESTS WITH OUR WASSAIL, WASSAIL WASSAIL, WASSAIL AND JOY COME WITH OUR JOLLY WASSAIL
FRED OH MISTRESS
LILY AND MASTER
FRED AND LILY SITTING DOWN AT YOUR EASE
MISS MARGARET WITH THEIR HANDS IN THEIR POCKETS
LADY CHAR TO GIVE WHAT THEY PLEASE
FRED’S GUESTS WITH OUR WASSAIL, WASSAIL WASSAIL, WASSAIL
44 AND JOY COME WITH OUR JOLLY WASSAIL! SCENE: FRED’S HOUSE SCROOGE and CHRISTMAS PRESENT arrive at FRED’S house. FRED’S party guests include LILY, SOLICITOR DAVID, SOLICITOR MATTHEW, MISS KATE, LADY CHAR and three CHILDREN: LITTLE CHARLIE, ARCHIE and EMILIA.
LITTLE CHARLIE Uncle Fred, Uncle Fred, did you slay a dragon? Did you?
FRED Did I slay a dragon?
EMILIA Yes! A dragon!
ARCHIE Mother says you did.
FRED That's right, Archie. I did. I did indeed. Into the lair of the dragon I walked! Fearlessly! Like St. George. And without flinching, I told the fire-breathing Ebenezer Scrooge what to do with his Christmas spirit.
MISS MARGARET With all due respect, your uncle Scrooge is a notorious—
FRED —skinflint—
LADY CHAR —tremendously successful, but a skinflint all the same. He'd send widows and orphans out into the street if he stood half a chance of making a few farthings.
SCROOGE I would not.
SOLICITOR DAVID I would believe it. We were outside his office earlier this evening asking for a small donation—
45 SOLICITOR MATTHEW For the homeless!
SOLICITOR DAVID And he told us they deserved to spend their holidays in the workhouses.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW He practically struck us—
SOLICITOR DAVID —with a walking stick!
SCROOGE I was provoked.
LADY CHAR Not a way to behave during the holidays.
LILY Oh now, please. Under all that sourness I believe there's still a good man trying to get out.
MISS MARGARET A ghost of a good man.
LADY CHAR And it would take more than a ghost to scare it out of him.
LILY A good man all the same. His offenses carry their own punishment and I have nothing to say against him. Come now, before any further discussion of your Uncle Scrooge causes us to lose our festive spirit. Fred, it's your turn to entertain. What have you prepared for us? A story?
FRED No.
LILY A tableaux?
FRED No.
LILY A poem?
46 FRED No. Better than that. A game! Called “Yes and No!”
LADY CHAR No!
FRED Yes!
SCROOGE I love this game!
FRED I’m going to think of something and you must find out what!
SCROOGE Fan and I used to play this game all the time.
FRED I’m thinking of an animal!
SCROOGE An animal!
ARCHIE A live animal?
FRED (FRED growls.) Yes!
LADY CHAR Oh! A rather disagreeable animal.
MISS MARGARET A savage animal?
FRED (FRED growls again.) Yes!
EMILIA A savage animal that growls! FRED grunts.
47 LITTLE CHARLIE And grunts
FRED (With a very toothy and proper accent.) Growls and grunts! Oh yes indeed!
SOLICITOR DAVID It talks!
LADY CHAR Well now, it could be anyone then, couldn’t it.
SCROOGE Don’t give up!
ARCHIE A hint! A hint!
SCROOGE Yes, yes, a hint. FRED pantomimes walking with a cane.
MISS MARGARET It walks about on the streets? FRED brandishes his cane and growls.
FRED Ahhh!
SOLICITOR DAVID With a cane!
LITTLE CHARLIE No, a sword! FRED brandishes his cane and growls again.
ARCHIE A soldier?!
LITTLE CHARLIE A scout!
48 FRED No!
ARCHIE Does it live in a stable?
FRED (Like a horse.) NEEEIGH!
SOLICITOR MATTHEW So it’s not a horse.
FRED No! FRED shakes his head with every guess and laughs uproariously.
EMILIA A cow?
FRED No!
SCROOGE It doesn’t live in a stable.
LITTLE CHARLIE A bull?
FRED No!
ARCHIE A tiger?
FRED No!
EMILIA A pig?
FRED No!
49 SCROOGE It doesn’t live in a stable!
FRED You’re not even trying!
LITTLE CHARLIE A cat?
FRED No!
ARCHIE A dog?
FRED No!
EMILIA A bear?
FRED Bah humbug! No!
LITTLE CHARLIE I know what it is!
ADULTS What?
LITTLE CHARLIE A dragon!
SCROOGE A dragon?
LADY CHAR In London?
EMILIA A fire-breathing dragon!
50 MISS MARGARET But who?
ARCHIE It’s your Uncle Scrooge!
FRED Yes! Uncle Scrooge! EVERYONE laughs and adlibs impersonations of SCROOGE.
LILY Oh now, Fred please!
FRED Yes, darling, of course. How wonderful this is. Our first Christmas together as man and wife. Let us raise a glass. To our family. To families past. Families in the future. And most of all, to families present. May Christmas always bring you to our front door. And that goes for Ebenezer Scrooge, wherever he may be! Uncle Scrooge, merry Christmas!
ALL Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge!
SCROOGE That's very kind of you.
LILY Come now, Emilia. While we're all at the piano – a Christmas song!
ALL HERE WE COME A-WASSAILING AMONG THE LEAVES SO GREEN HERE WE COME A-WANDERING SO FAIR TO BE SEEN
LOVE AND JOY COME TO YOU AND TO YOU YOUR WASSAIL TOO AND GOD BLESS YOU AND SEND YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR
WE ARE NOT DAILY BEGGARS THAT BEG FROM DOOR TO DOOR BUT WE ARE NEIGHBORS’ CHILDREN WHOM YOU HAVE SEEN BEFORE
51 LOVE AND JOY COME TO YOU AND TO YOU YOUR WASSAIL TOO AND GOD BLESS YOU AND SEND YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR
FRED AND LILY AND GOD BLESS YOU AND SEND YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR SEGUE TO …
52 SCENE: IGNORANCE AND WANT
CHRISTMAS PRESENT My time is drawing near. Have you profited from seeing the good in most men's hearts? If it's too hard a lesson for you to learn, then learn this lesson. Look here.
SCROOGE I see nothing.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Look again. IGNORANCE and WANT are revealed.
SCROOGE Spirit are they yours?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT They are Man's. This boy is Ignorance. And this girl is Want. Beware of them both. But most of all, beware of the boy for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing is erased.
SCROOGE Have they no refuge or resource?
CHRISTMAS PRESENT Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?
WANT Are there no prisons?
IGNORANCE Are there no workhouses?
ENSEMBLE, IGNORANCE, AND WANT Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? CHRISTMAS PRESENT exits. The clock strikes 12.
SCROOGE Stop!
53 CHRISTMAS FUTURE APPEARS. I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come? You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not yet happened, but will happen in the future? Is that so? I fear you more than any spirit I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good – and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was – I am ready to accompany you. Won't you speak? SEGUE TO ...
54 SCENE: LONDON STREET CORNER SCROOGE and CHRISTMAS FUTURE are now on the streets of London. A funeral procession crosses their path. Now they see SOLICITOR DAVID and SOLICITOR MATTHEW.
SOLICITOR DAVID Old Scratch has got his own, at last.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW Yes, he is as dead as a door-nail. But we all must die, sooner or later, my dear sir.
SOLICITOR DAVID Where did it happen?
SOLICITOR MATTHEW Well, I don't know much about it either way. I only know he's dead.
SOLICITOR DAVID When did he die?
SOLICITOR MATTHEW Last night, I believe.
SOLICITOR DAVID What has he done with his money?
SOLICITOR MATTHEW He hasn't given it to me. That's all I know.
SOLICITOR DAVID It's likely to be a very cheap funeral. For by my soul, I can't think of anybody to go to it.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW Suppose we make up a party and volunteer.
SOLICITOR DAVID I’ll offer to go if lunch is provided. But I must be fed if I go.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW I'll offer to go if others will. Come to think of it, I'm not at all sure that we weren’t his closest friends.
55 SOLICITOR DAVID Really?
SOLICITOR MATTHEW Yes. He spoke to us once on the street.
SOLICITOR DAVID Yes, I remember it distinctly.
SOLICITOR MATTHEW He said –
SOLICITORS DAVID AND MATTHEW "Humbug!" SOLICITOR DAVID and SOLICITOR MATTHEW exit.
SCROOGE Who are they talking about? Spirit! Who lies in that coffin? Tell me! Why won’t you tell me? SEGUE TO …
56 SCENE: THE CRATCHIT HOUSE SCROOGE and CHRISTMAS FUTURE find themselves at BOB CRATCHIT’S house.
MRS. CRATCHIT, MARTHA, AND PETER LO HOW A ROSE E’ER BLOOMING FROM TENDER STEM HATH SPRUNG OF JESSE’S LINEAGE COMING BY FAITHFUL PROPHET SUNG IT CAME A FLOW’RET BRIGHT AMID THE COLD OF WINTER WHEN HALF-SPENT WAS THE NIGHT
SCROOGE Where's Tiny Tim? BOB CRATCHIT enters.
MARTHA Hello, Father.
MRS. CRATCHIT Hello, Robert.
BOB CRATCHIT Hello, my dears. You work so quickly. You’ll be done long before Sunday.
BELINDA Hello, Father.
BOB CRATCHIT Hello, Belinda.
MRS. CRATCHIT You went today then, Robert?
BOB CRATCHIT Yes. You'll never guess who I saw there. Mr. Scrooge's nephew. He was very sorry to hear our news and said if there was anything he could do to help, anything at all, all we need do is ask.
MRS. CRATCHIT That was very kind of him.
57 BOB CRATCHIT He placed a flower on the grave and left. I wish you could have gone with me this time. It would have done you good to see how restful a place the cemetery can be. I promised him that we would all walk there every Sunday.
PETER Yes, Father, of course we shall.
BOB CRATCHIT And while I was there, it was as if Tim was there with me, standing by my side. His little hand in mine. Telling me he was happy. Truly happy. And that when we think of him we should think of the good times. That's what he wanted. My dear, oh, my Tiny Tim.
SCROOGE No no not Tiny Tim! Spirit. Tell me this isn't so. Tell me this can be changed. Tell me his life can be spared. Is there nothing I can do? Is there nothing I can offer? Spirit! Can I not do something for the child? Tell me! Tell me! SEGUE TO …
58 SCENE: OLD JOE’S WAREHOUSE SCROOGE is now at OLD JOE’S Warehouse. OLD JOE enters.
OLD JOE Foul weather, beastly weather. All right. Step lively, step lively. Step right into my “parlor” and we can do business. THE LAUNDRESS and UNDERTAKER enter.
LAUNDRESS Look here, Old Joe, here's a chance. If we haven’t all three met here without meaning it. You got his proper undertaker, Old Digger here. His lovely laundress. And – TA-TA-TA- DAH – his loyal charwoman. MRS. DILBER enters.
SCROOGE Mrs. Dilber!
LAUNDRESS Oh come on dearie, don't be bashful. Come on up. We all know it's your first time here with Old Joe, ain’t I right.
MRS. DILBER Well, yes it is.
SCROOGE Mrs. Dilber couldn’t possibly have business here – she must be lost!
LAUNDRESS Alright then, there's nothing to be ashamed of. Everybody knows why we're here. Every person has a right to take care of themselves. HE always did, the old screw.
MRS. DILBER That's true.
LAUNDRESS Alright then, everything's all nice and proper. We're right ladies and gentlemen, we are.
MRS. DILBER Then what's he leering at?
LAUNDRESS Oh him. It's just his professional way of smiling.
59 OLD JOE You'd smile that way too if you was to spend most of your day with the dead.
LAUNDRESS Besides he's just showing off his new teeth.
MRS. DILBER They're very nice.
UNDERTAKER Thank you.
LAUNDRESS Just don't ask him where he got them.
OLD JOE All right, time for business. Who's first?
LAUNDRESS Him. Let's see what's in his pocket first.
UNDERTAKER A pencil case. A pair of cuff buttons. And two shoe buckles.
SCROOGE Those look just like—
LAUNDRESS Oh shined them up nice did you.
UNDERTAKER In all my life I've never seen a room more barren. Nothing! He lived like a hermit, he did.
OLD JOE A shilling.
UNDERTAKER What?
OLD JOE Try to do better next time. Who's next?
LAUNDRESS Me, I'm next. Wait till you see what's in my bundle, Joe. 60 OLD JOE What's in it?
LAUNDRESS Bed curtains.
OLD JOE You mean to say you took them down, rings and all, with him lying there?
LAUNDRESS I did. Why not?
UNDERTAKER Had he even drawn his last breath?
LAUNDRESS Well, if he hadn't, the sight of me taking down his curtains would've done him in, ain’t I right.
OLD JOE I'll give you two shilling and thruppence.
UNDERTAKER What?!
OLD JOE I always gives too much to the ladies. It's a weakness of mine and that's the way I ruin myself.
LAUNDRESS Merry Christmas Joe!
OLD JOE And now, what do you have to say for yourself?
MRS. DILBER Nothing really.
OLD JOE Holding out on us, are you? That's what the new ones always do. Makes you beg.
MRS. DILBER Well, I do have one thing. Wait. Wait!
61 MRS. DILBER shows them SCROOGE’S snow globe.
SCROOGE Where did you find that?
MRS. DILBER What do you think?
OLD JOE Isn't that precious?
SCROOGE Surely one of a kind!
MRS. DILBER And very expensive.
OLD JOE I'll give you Half a Crown.
MRS. DILBER Three bob.
OLD JOE Sold.
MRS. DILBER Oh thank you Joe. Thank you. The UNDERTAKER and the LAUNDRESS grab the snow globe and run up the steps.
SCROOGE Don’t let him touch that!
62 LAUNDRESS UNDERTAKER MRS. DILBER (Overlapping adlib) (Overlapping adlib) (Overlapping adlib) You’re a grabby one, Well just because you No! Stop! That’s not for aren’t you. I was want it doesn’t mean you you to touch! It’s fragile, admiring it first and you get to have it. I get to it is. Do you even know just snatched it from my look at it first. It’s wot I what that word means? hands like the common say so. Gorm, it’s pretty Fragile? Please! Old Joe criminal that you are – bauble. The prettiest I – make them stop! Don’t just snatched it! Like a ever seen. So shiny and let them handle it like sticky fingered grave sparkly. It’s gold leaf, I’m that! robber! A gonoph! And I certain of that! Hey, I’m won’t stand for it! Give it looking at this! to me this instant! The UNDERTAKER drops the snow globe and it shatters. OLD JOE, THE LAUNDRESS, THE UNDERTAKER and MRS. DILBER exit
SCROOGE No! How could they break that?! How could they. You still have not told me who lies in that coffin. SEGUE TO…
63 SCENE: THE CEMETERY SCROOGE now finds himself in a cemetery. SCROOGE’S name appears on the tombstone.
SCROOGE Are these the shadows of things that MUST be? Or are they shadows of things that only MIGHT be? Men's lives lead to certain ends. But if those lives be changed, won't the ends be changed as well? Tell me, Tell me. CHRISTMAS FUTURE exits. No, Spirit, No! I am not the man I was. Why show me this if I am past all hope? Good spirit of Christmas, assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me by an altered life. I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past, the present, and the future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons they teach. Please, Spirit, tell me this is not my future. Tell me this is not my end! Tell me I may live! Tell me I may live! SEGUE TO …
64 SCENE: SCROOGE’S BEDROOM The cemetery disappears and is now replaced by SCROOGE’S bedroom.
MRS. DILBER Mr. Scrooge. Mr. Scrooge –
SCROOGE Mrs. Dilber. What has happened? What’s today?
MRS. DILBER Eh?
SCROOGE What's today, my good woman? Today! What is it?!
MRS. DILBER Today? Why it's Christmas Day, sir.
SCROOGE It's Christmas Day! Then I haven't missed it. The spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like! Of course they can. Of course they can, my good woman.
MRS. DILBER Spirits, Sir?
SCROOGE They are not torn down! They are not torn down rings and all. They are here. Everything is here. I am here. The shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled. They will be. I know they will be. I am as happy as an angel. I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man.
MRS. DILBER Say, what kind of spirits have you been keeping company with, sir? SCROOGE throws open the curtains and calls out the window.
SCROOGE A Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas to everybody! And a Happy New Year to all the world! Mrs. Dilber, do you know the poulterer in the next street – at the corner?
MRS. DILBER I should hope I did.
65 SCROOGE Oh, an intelligent woman! A remarkable woman. Do you know whether they've sold the prize turkey hanging there? Not the little, little prize turkey, but the BIG one!
MRS. DILBER It's hanging there now.
SCROOGE What a delightful woman! It's such a pleasure to talk with you. I want you to go and buy that turkey.
MRS. DILBER Buy it?! You can’t be serious!
SCROOGE No, I am in earnest. Go and buy it and have it delivered to the Cratchit family.
MRS. DILBER Yes, sir.
SCROOGE Now go. Hurry! And then go home to your family. And tell them that I don't want to see you again.
MRS. DILBER Oh. I will …
SCROOGE Until AFTER the New Year!
MRS. DILBER Oh yes! Of course!
SCROOGE And Mrs. Dilber. This is for you.
MRS. DILBER A guinea? For me?
SCROOGE Merry Christmas.
MRS. DILBER Oh, Mr. Scrooge! Merry Christmas! A Merry Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge! 66 MRS. DILBER exits
SCROOGE Oh, I don't deserve to be so happy. But I can't help it. Thank you, spirits. SEGUE TO …
67 SCENE: OUTSIDE SCROOGE’S HOUSE CAROLERS sing “Somerset Wassail” in front of SCROOGE’S house. PEOPLE stop and listen.
CAROLERS WASSAIL AND WASSAIL ALL OVER THE TOWN THE CUP IT IS WHITE AND THE ALE IT IS BROWN
THE CUP IT IS MADE OF THE GOOD ASHEN TREE AND SO IS THE MALT OF THE BEST BARLEY
FOR IT’S OUR WASSAIL AND IT’S YOUR WASSAIL AND IT’S JOY BE TO YOU AND A JOLLY WASSAIL
OH MASTER AND MISTRESS ARE YOU ALL WITHIN? LAY OPEN THE DOOR AND LET US COME IN! OH MASTER AND MISTRESS A-SITTING BY THE FIRE PRAY THINK ON US POOR TRAVELERS A TRAVELING IN THE MIRE FOR IT’S OUR WASSAIL AND IT’S YOUR WASSAIL AND IT’S JOY TO BE YOU AND A JOLLY WASSAIL
FOR IT’S OUR WASSAIL AND IT’S YOUR WASSAIL AND IT’S JOY BE TO YOU AND A JOLLY WASSAIL
The front door opens and SCROOGE appears. The CAROLERS are startled. SOLICITOR DAVID and SOLICITOR MATTHEW enter.
SCROOGE My dear sirs!
SOLICITORS DAVID AND MATTHEW Mr. Scrooge.
SCROOGE You left me yesterday before I had the good sense to contribute to your worthy cause. Would you please accept my donation of – (SCROOGE writes a number in his book.)
SOLICITOR DAVID Mr. Scrooge!
SOLICITOR MATTHEW Are you serious?
68 SCROOGE A great many back payments are included in it, I assure you. I only ask that you come and visit me.
SOLICITORS DAVID AND MATTHEW We will.
SCROOGE Thank you. And, Merry Christmas!
SOLICITORS DAVID AND MATTHEW Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge! SCROOGE gently polishes the door knocker with his scarf.
SCROOGE Thank you, Jacob. SEGUE TO …
69 SCENE: OUTSIDE FRED’S HOUSE SCROOGE paces outside FRED’S door. Finally, he gets the nerve to ring the bell. He turns to leave but then returns. FRED opens the door. LILY joins him shortly.
FRED Uncle Scrooge! What are you doing here?
SCROOGE I have come to wish you and your beautiful wife, Lily, a Merry Christmas.
FRED I'm speechless.
LILY Please come in. Join us for Christmas dinner, Uncle Scrooge. I'll set a place at the head of the table!
SCROOGE I would love nothing more. But first, I must take care of one last order of business. Business! Listen to me. It's nothing of the kind. But it is terribly important to me. And I was wondering if you two would assist me in the matter.
FRED Absolutely! Anything at all!
SCROOGE Thank you.
FRED You don't know how long I've hoped to see you on my doorstep on Christmas Day. I'm so glad you've come!
SEGUE TO …
70 SCENE: OUTSIDE THE CRATCHIT’S HOUSE THE DELIVERY BOY enters carrying a heavy turkey.
DELIVERY BOY Delivery! Delivery for the Cratchit family. Delivery! Delivery for the Cratchit family. MRS. CRATCHIT and the CHILDREN enter.
MRS. CRATCHIT Delivery? We're not expecting anything this morning.
DELIVERY BOY I've got a Christmas turkey here for the Cratchit family.
BELINDA A turkey? For us? BOB CRATCHIT enters.
DELIVERY BOY Is this the Cratchit house?
BOB CRATCHIT Yes, it is, but I think –
DELIVERY BOY Then take your turkey. It’s breaking my back, it is.
BOB CRATCHIT Oh yes, certainly.
PETER I've never seen such a turkey.
DELIVERY BOY That's the biggest turkey in the city I'd wager.
MRS. CRATCHIT Bob we can't take this turkey! We can't possibly afford it.
DELIVERY BOY Oh, it's already paid for.
71 MRS. CRATCHIT Wait a minute! Paid for?! Then there's been some mistake. You brought it to the wrong house.
DELIVERY BOY Merry Christmas. DELIVERY BOY exits.
MRS. CRATCHIT Robert, you must take it back. SCROOGE enters.
SCROOGE Cratchit! Bob Cratchit!
BOB CRATCHIT Mr. Scrooge!
SCROOGE What do you mean by taking off from work this day?
BOB CRATCHIT Oh, Mr. Scrooge, you said that – I – because it was the holiday that –
SCROOGE Because it is CHRISTMAS?
BOB CRATCHIT It's only once a year sir, and –
SCROOGE Now I'll tell you what. I am not going to stand for this sort of thing any longer! This idleness. This laziness won't be tolerated another moment. And therefore. And therefore, I am going to raise your salary.
BOB CRATCHIT Mr. Scrooge! Are you sure you're feeling all right?
SCROOGE I've never felt better in my life. Now everyone, close your eyes. That’s right! Close your eyes. Keep them closed.
FRED and LILY enter.
72 SCROOGE Now open them. My nephew, Fred and his beautiful wife, Lily. The Cratchit Family.
CRATCHIT FAMILY Merry Christmas!
FRED AND LILY Merry Christmas!
SCROOGE And these are all for you!
SCROOGE passes out the presents to the children and Mrs. Cratchit. They ad lib once they are given their gift.
BELINDA MARTHA PETER MRS. CRATCHIT Oh Mr. Scrooge, Thank you, Mr. Thank you, sir. This Mr. Scrooge, oh, Mr. thank you! I saw that Scrooge – it’s is so kind of you, sir. Scrooge, you are in the toy store exactly what I I shall take good generous to a fault, window! I saw it! wanted. I’ve never care of it too, sir. I’ll all this and the How did you know? had anything so keep on the top turkey, too. beautiful. shelf.
BOB CRATCHIT Mr. Scrooge, I don’t know what to say!
SCROOGE There’s nothing more to say except Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to everybody.
BELINDA MARTHA PETER Merry Christmas, Mr. Merry Christmas, Mr. Merry Christmas, sir. This is Scrooge, oh Merry Scrooge. Please stay! Can the best Christmas ever! Christmas! Merry you stay? Mother can he? The best ever! Christmas!
MRS. CRATCHIT Please come inside! We can warm up by the fire! Please join us!
73 BOB CRATCHIT Oh yes! Everyone inside! THE CRATCHIT CHILDREN, FRED and LILY start into the house.
SCROOGE Tiny Tim. I haven’t forgotten you. SCROOGE gives TINY TIM the snow globe.
SCROOGE Shake. See? It's snowing. Now, whenever you look at this, it can be Christmas whenever you like. And Tiny Tim, from the bottom of my heart – a heart which until very recently never knew the meaning of the phrase – a very merry Christmas. TINY TIM hugs SCROOGE. And SCROOGE hugs him back. And then, SCROOGE puts TINY TIM onto his shoulder and they walk into the CRATCHIT house. CURTAIN
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